Rationale for a Next Generation Research Station in Antarctica

Eric RIGNOT, Donald Bren Professor of Earth System Science, University of California, Irvine (UCI) - USA

Transcript

1. Strategic science plan Eric Rignot, UC Irvine, JPL, and IPF
2. • Vibrant sentinel of climate change, biodiversity and human resilience. • Most rapid change on the planet with global consequences. • Observational capacity “we cannot model what we cannot observe” • Science budgets under threat, but new nations aspire to be part of the solution. • Technological advances to boost observational capacities without increasing the carbon footprint. • IPY 2032. Antarctica
3. Strategic Plan Mission Andromeda Antarctica will advance critical Antarctic science—climate dynamics, ice-sheet stability, and marine and terrestrial ecosystem change, using next-generation technologies and resilient infrastructure to generate knowledge that will inform global decisions and strengthen planetary resilience. Vision A Society that values Antarctic science for global decision making – driving innovation, stewardship, and collective action to secure a sustainable future for Earth.
4. Antarctic exploration is only 100 yrs old
5. Antarctica remote but relevant .. What happens in Antarctica doesn’t stay in Antarctica— it propagates through oceans, climate, and ecosystems to affect the entire planet.
6. Improve the ratio [𝞭 Knowledge] / [Knowledge] Current knowledge is limited not only in genomic characterization but also in understanding the regulatory and transcriptomic responses underlying environmental adaptation. Our knowledge of astrophysics is limited, esp. w.r. how radiative processes and environmental conditions shape the signals we observe from the universe, even from high- clarity sites such as Antarctica.
7. Improve the ratio [𝞭 Knowledge] / [Maintenance cost] 100,000 gallons of fuel to South Pole $6,000 per drum 9 tons of CO2 per scientist ..
8. Irreversible .. Sea level rise from Antarctica 22 to 60 meters
9. Sea level rise from Antarctica 22 to 60 meters 1 m SLR will directly impact 250 Millions people and indirectly impact Billions.
10. Sea level rise from Antarctica 22 to 60 meters 110 Billions to protect San Francisco Bay 46 Billions assets If better science saves only 10% of the adaptation cost, the extra cost will more than repay itself.
11. Ice-ocean interaction: where sea level rise is decided .. •Ice melt by the ocean drives the mass loss of Antarctic ice sheet •Antarctic ice shelf cavities have not been explored. •Small changes in ocean temperature trigger ice sheet collapse
12. The global impact of the Southern Ocean Spilhaus projection •Southern Ocean regulates carbon and heat uptake •Antarctic biogeochemistry drives carbon sequestration (CO₂ → ocean → deep sea) •Small changes can accelerate or slow global warming
13. Major climate shift .. Sea ice collapse .. Stronger winds .. Rapid loss versus enhanced snowfall.
14. Hidden biological complexity •Marine genomics reveals vast unknown microbial diversity •Microbes control: -nutrient cycles (carbon, nitrogen, iron) -ocean productivity •Majority of genes/functions are still unknown
15. Technological shifts to enable new science .. Radar sounders, laser altimeters, gravimeters, water sampling, aerosol sampling, AUVs, USVs, Apex, Gliders, ROVs: Temperature, salinity, currents, water chemistry, bathymetry
16. Energy and water .. Battery/fuel cell powered vehicles Spaceship in Antarctica
17. •Be bold and ambitious: maximize the impact of discovery → Improve ΔKnowledge / Knowledge •Broaden access to Antarctic science → Engage a wider community of nations responsibly, securely, and intelligently •Prioritize “WOW” science → Target discoveries and visuals that capture imagination and demonstrate global relevance •Accelerate international and transdisciplinary collaboration → Break silos across nations, disciplines, and technologies
18. Thank you!